How Gov. Chris Christie is trying to distance himself from the erupting traffic jam political fallout; a closer look at Robert Gates’ new memoir; the politics at play behind extending emergency benefits to the long-term unemployed; and a look at the war on poverty. Joining Gwen: Peter Baker, New York Times'; John Dickerson, Slate/ CBS News; Ed O'Keefe, Washington Post; Beth Reinhard, National Jour

On the Webcast Extra, comments by Mike Huckabee at the Republican National Committee's winter meeting renew discussion of the GOP's war on women. Plus, a new HBO documentary about Mitt Romney's two failed presidential campaigns premieres this week. NBC News' Pete Williams discusses the possibility of clemency for NSA leaker Edward Snowden, and Real Clear Politics' Alexis Simendinger previews Pre

President Obama met with the White House press for his end of year news conference; a new review on NSA practices; a rare budget deal in Congress and a look at the economy's standing at year's end. Joining Gwen: Susan Davis, USA Today; Pete Williams, NBC News; Greg Ip, The Economist; Dan Balz, Washington Post.

The House voted to end the NSA’s practice of bulk collecting phone records. Pete Williams of NBC News talks about the growing number of states that have overturned bans on same-sex marriage across the country. President Obama nominated San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to become secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Obama's recommendations to reform NSA surveillance practices; a congressional report calls Benghazi attack “likely preventable”; the political fallout from Obamacare, and two cases argued before SCOTUS dealing with restrictions on abortion protesters and presidential recess appointments. Joining Gwen: Peter Baker, New York Times; Joan Biskupic, Reuters; Jeff Zeleny, ABC News; Tom Gjelten, NPR.